Chapter 3: Many Firsts and Many Lasts

Tossing around, her breathing was heavy, almost husky as she tried her hardest to claw her way out of the dream that she was currently stuck in. Someone needed to help her. She felt trapped, she was trapped. Sprinting down the hall as fast as she could, she skidded and fell onto the floor, crying out in pain as she held onto her ankle. The rubber on her shoes must have caused her to stick. Gasping out, whimpers made themselves up her throat as she crawled across the floor, staggering to her feet as she leaned against a locker and took a look behind her. She couldn't see him. Where was he? Where did he go? Had he left her alone? Hearing footsteps echoing, her breath caught in her throat as she walked backwards, her eyes wide. He was coming. He was coming for her and she was going to die. He was going to kill her and wasn't going to look back, she was sure of it.

"H..hello?" Elena called out, her voice shaking as she continued moving back.

Banging into a hard frame, she screamed loudly and went to move forward, but was grabbed and pulled back into their grasp. Trying to struggle out of their hold, she moaned and whimpered, but it was no use. A sob racked her body as she pushed against them, trying to get them off of her. Unfortunately, she was forced back against the lockers and blocked from escaping. A cry emitted from her throat as the pain moved through her. Opening her eyes, she stared up into the brown eyes, her eyes wide with tears as they fell down her rosy cheeks like a waterfall.

"It's too late Elena. YOU'RE mine."

Noises began making their way into her ears as the brunette shuffled and tossed, the light from the window annoying her vision. Throwing herself forward, she opened her eyes with a gasp as heavy breaths left her. Placing her hands on her chest, she rubbed against her skin and looked around, trying to remember where she was. She was on the bus. She was only dreaming. God, not again. Moving her hands up to her face, she swallowed the lump growing in her throat and shook her head. She couldn't do this anymore, she wasn't strong enough to handle it. The dreams were just making her sick, weak and lifeless. There was nothing she could do about it, they were un-preventable. Pulling the curtain back, she slowly lowered herself onto the ground from the bed and looked around, seeing the other beds unoccupied. Everyone else must be awake, maybe that was the noise. Making her way up the hall of the bus, she licked her lips as she moved into the lounge area.

"Oh shut up! That is NOT true Bonnie! I am not a slut!" Caroline shouted, wide-eyed.
"Yes it is Car, don't lie now!" She said with a mock gasp and a laugh as she threw her head back, clearly enjoying whining up the blonde.

Elena watched them, seeing as everyone was sprawled across the couches and Tyler was driving up front. Licking her lips, she let them carry on with their conversation and walked into the kitchen, needing to get some decent tablets. Reaching up into the cupboard, she pulled out a box and took two paracetamols out, dry-swallowing them as she rubbed her face.

You're mine.

Shaking her head weakly, she filled a glass up with water and began gulping it down like she hadn't drunk for days. She was being ripped apart, why was she keeping it to herself? Looking down, she leaned her hand against the counter, trying not to fall over, since she felt so unstable. It's old news. It's in the past. This is NOW. He is gone, way gone. She didn't have to think about it, it should be out of her head. Feeling a hand pressing into the small of her back, she jumped into the air, spinning around as her breath caught into her throat. She felt herself stuck in a gaze with two beautiful crystal blue eyes. Letting out a small breath, she stepped back slightly, needing the space to be able to think properly.

"Hey Lena. Are you alright?" Damon asked gently, tilting her chin lighting with his finger as he looked her over, worry flashing in his eyes.
"Y..yeah I'm fine. Of course I am. Just, trying to banish..old demons I guess." She admitted hoarsely, forcing a laugh and faking a smile.
"Come on chocolate." Kissing the top of her head lightly, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders securely and led her into the lounge with everybody else and sat down with her.

Everyone carried on with their own conversations, getting on. Matt and Caroline were now in a deep conversation, Bonnie had pulled Jeremy into a conversation, YES, he came along. Apparently Bonnie could not resist. Hmm... wonderous. The brunette watched, feeling tired and weak. She wanted to stay awake, she missed all of this with no problems.

"Damon, hey man, do you mind taking the night shift? Giving me a break?" Tyler called behind him, watching the road and he switched lanes.
"Not at all. I'll do that. Not a good sleeper anyway." Damon called back to him as Elena tucked herself in against him, trying to get his warmth as she bit her lip, looking at him.
"I think I'll join you."
"Yeah?" Raising an eyebrow, he looked down at her as he stroked his hand along her arm.
"Yeah." She answered with a smile.

Staying up all night was better than living with those demons, called nightmares. Staying awake was worth seeing those beautiful blue eyes.

Moving about in the kitchen, she packed away everything back into the fridge as she poured coffee into two cups and stirred them slowly. They were both going to need caffeine if they were just going to be staring at this road all night. Shaking her head, she licked her lips and lifted the cups, walking out and down to the front where Damon was. Sliding into the passenger seat, she held the cup out with a soft smile.

"For you." The brunette spoke lightly as he took the cup with a charming smile.
"Thanks ma lady." Taking a sip, he watched the road closely, steering with a wrist and a hand as she hugged her legs up to her chest, slowly sipping hers.

Lifting her baseball cap from the floor, she slipped it on her head slowly, adjusting it to the perfect fit as she leaned her head back against the seat and relaxed, letting her eyes close. The dream flooded back into her head. The school halls. The brown eyes. His words. It was all too much for her, the stress level was rising up and she couldn't stop it.

"Hey.." He spoke gently.
"Hmm?" Opening her eyes, she tried to look and moaned, feeling lazy as she pushed her head forward, pushing the cap up as she tilted her head.
"You've been acting...I don't know, different lately? Like your worried about something?" Raising an eyebrow, a smile grazed his lips as he looked at her than the road.

"Uh. To be honest Damon. I just have SO much on my mind. I am trying to dissolve it all, handle it piece by piece. Just never been away from home." She explained.
"Well, no worries. You have all of your friends here. Jeremy is here. Your going to be fine, I promise. Everyone is here for you, ya know?"

Biting down on her lip, she inhaled and thought about what he said. Looking at him, she seen his eyes focused on the road. He was right. Everyone was here for her. All she had to do was open her mouth and talk, surely it was that simple. Why was he so utterly amazing? He was like someone who had walked into her life, JUST at the right time. Determined to fix things and make everything that was wrong with her life for the better. Maybe if he were around sooner, everything would be completely normal, in her life anyway. Smiling lightly, she took a gulp of her coffee.

"Yeah. You're right Damon." Elena answered lightly, licking her lips as she watched the lights.
"If you," Clearing his throat with a shrug, "ever need to talk or anything, ya know.."
"Yes. I know. Thank you Damon." Giving him a smile, she watched as a blush grazed his cheeks and smiled big. She made him blush.

You know what they say in a relationship where you know their the one, they are many of firsts and many of your lasts.

A/N: Hey guys, hope you enjoy! :D Taking it slow I know. Introducing it a little more :)

Shauna
xxx